Richard Sanford is a legend – but, as with so many legends, his story includes painful setbacks. Sanford, 77, with his then-partner Michael Benedict, proved that Santa Barbara County is a great place to grow Pinot Noir. By extension, they amplified what other visionaries like Martin Ray had discovered: that California could produce its own
Winemakers
Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux AOC is a great find for high-quality, well-priced Bordeaux. Sainte-Foy is a small AOC located on the banks of the Dordogne River at the far east of Bordeaux’s right bank. As with its more famous neighbors, the Atlantic climate, hot dry summers and clay and limestone soils provide an ideal combination
Col di Corte has been working organically both in the vineyard and in the winery since 2012. With the start of the 2016 season, after following a course with Nicolà Joly and Stefano Bellotti, they have also begun to use biodynamic preparations. Grape Collective talks with winemaker Claudio Caldaroni and co-owner Giacomo Rossi. (Photo Giacomo Rossi)
The Loire Valley wine region includes the French wine regions situated along the Loire River from the Muscadet region near the city of Nantes on the Atlantic coast to the region of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé just southeast of the city of Orléans in north-central France. The area includes 87 appellations under the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée
Domaine de l’Amauve is a small, family-owned winery nestled at the base of the Dentelles mountains in the Côtes du Rhône Villages Seguret appellation. Christian Voeux began running the organically-farmed winery when his parents retired in 2005, even though, at that time, he was the head winemaker at Château Mont-Redon and, soon after, at Château
“Unlike most Finger Lakes winemakers, Matthewson was born and raised in the heart of the region, in the village of Hammondsport, and got his first winemaking job at 19. This gives him a long view on developments here, as well as a close understanding of the lakes’ specific topographies, soils, and microclimates. He’s had nearly
In 2005 The New York Times asked the question: Is Le Marche the Next Tuscany? “This is what Tuscany must have felt like 10 or 20 years ago, before it was discovered by tour groups and their omnipresent buses – carrying thousands upon thousands of travelers who flock there each year to try to recreate
The Abruzzo region is known for honest, value wines. For many years the region was recognized for the production of vast amounts of bulk inexpensive wine that was made by a small group of very large cooperative wineries. Recently the wine landscape has shifted and Abruzzo is becoming known for high quality artisanal wines based
In the eastern part of France’s Loire Valley is Sancerre, a French wine AOC recognized primarily for its production of dry, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. The appellation is situated on the left bank of the Loire River, virtually facing nearby Pouilly-Fumé. A cool continental climate characterizes Sancerre, with short hot summers, long cold winters and temperatures
The husband and wife team of Pierre Jean Monnoyer and Kalyna created their estate, Casa Raia, in 2006. The estate once belonged to the patriarchal family of Brunello di Montalcino the Biondi Santi. The Monnoyers make low intervention Brunello di Montalcino without commercial yeasts or other chemicals in the cellar. Their south and southwest facing